Hohoe, June 25 GNA - Right Reverend Francis Anani Lodonu, Bishop of Ho Diocese of the Catholic Church on Thursday called on government and corporate Ghana to redouble and redirect their collective efforts at revamping sporting activities in the country.
He said there should be a conscious planning and improvement in infrastructure, sponsorship package over all sports since it was the only single major advert on Ghana to the world.
Bishop Lodonu who was granting an interview to the GNA Sports said the exploits of the Black Stars in the world cup tournament underway in Germany had single handedly advertised Ghana on the global soccer arena more than even tourism.
He urged government and corporate institutions to draw up a comprehensive programme towards reviving all sporting events such as skiing, rugby, swimming and others, which the country has the comparative advantage on.
He noted that football, boxing, athletics and recently weightlifting have placed Ghana on the international sporting calendar and entreated that attention be paid lesser sports to sustain, making the country a "showpiece and mouthpiece" of the world.
Bishop Lodonu said he would be saddened to hear that government assistance to the Black Stars was withdrawn after the world cup tournament adding that the soccer progression must be safeguarded. He suggested that since Ghana would host the CAN 2008 soccer fiesta, it behoves on government to harness the expertise of the hilarious Black Stars against the event.
"It would be suicidal to host and organize such tournament and renege on winning it", the Bishop said.
On the chances of the Black Stars against Brazil on Tuesday, Rt. Rev. Lodonu said with determination, tenacity of purpose and "God on our side, all things are possible".
He said an encounter with the Samba boys demanded 90 minutes concentration and was optimistic that the Black Stars would call off the bluff of Brazil on the d-day. 25 June 06
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